Melioidosis

Context

• Andhra Pradesh has reported its first confirmed case of melioidosis in Turakapalem village, linked to 23 unexplained deaths since July.

About Melioidosis

Causative Agent:

• Bacterial infection caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei.
• Transmission & Reservoirs:
• Found in soil and water, capable of surviving for years in contaminated environments.
• Person-to-person transmission: extremely rare.
• Animal-to-human / insect-to-human transmission: not documented.

Vulnerability:

• Usually mild in healthy individuals.
• Severe or fatal in those with diabetes, chronic kidney/liver disease, alcohol dependence, or cancer.
• High-risk groups: military personnel, adventure travellers, eco-tourists, and workers in agriculture, construction, fishing, and forestry.

Geographic Distribution:

• Endemic: Southeast Asia & Northern Australia.
• India: Under-diagnosed and underreported; first indigenous case detected in Mumbai (1991).

Seasonality:

• 75–85% of cases occur during the monsoon/rainy season.

Symptoms:

• Range: mild flu-like fever, headache → severe pneumonia, chest pain, persistent cough, skin sores, or internal abscesses.
• Often mimics tuberculosis, leading to frequent misdiagnosis.

Prevention & Management:

• Safe drinking water, protective gear for at-risk workers, and good hygiene practices.
• No vaccine available to date.